GIS Workflows

The flow of information through a project

GIS Workflows

  1. Identify a problem/research question
  2. Explore available data
  3. Pares and clean the data (pre-processing)
  4. Spatial Analysis
  5. Refine and incorporate more data as needed
  6. Final visualizations (maps/charts/etc.)
  7. Sumarzie results, identify new questions

Visualizing a Workflow

It is a good idea to think through a workflow before conducting it, you can sketch a simple flowchart to think through the logical progression of analysis steps.

An Example

The city of Port Alberni has been given funding build a new evacuation shelter. You have been contracted by the city and tasked with finding a suitable location for the shelter.

An Example

The shelter must:

  1. Above the flood zone: > 15 m elevation or > 1 km from coast.
  2. > 1.5 km from existing shelters.
  3. < 250 m from an Arterial Roadway.
  4. Not on Residential, Commercial, or Industrial parcels.

Visualizing a Workflow

It is best to create a workflow that is repeatable, modifiable, and sharable.

  • "Point and Click" GIS is not repeatable.
  • Model Builder is a good solution for beginners.
  • Once you progress with your GIS career, you could consider learning to code.

Visualizing a Workflow

If you progress with your GIS career, you should consider learning to code.

  • Code is replicable, ledgible, and explicit.
  • Python is a great option for geospatial analysis.
  • Javascript is great for making webmaps.

Visualizing a Workflow

If you progress with your GIS career, you should consider learning to code.

  • Code is replicable, ledgible, and explicit.
  • Python is a great option for geospatial analysis.
  • Javascript is great for making webmaps.